McClaren: "We have looked at research extending over 100 matches and there is no difference to a grass pitch at all," he said.
Don't Remind Toon Fans About Artificial Pitches!
"The loss of possession is the same, there are the same number of headers and tackles and it doesn't bounce high.
"It is a flat pitch and there is absolutely no excuse."
Obviously he is doing a 'man-management' job on his players, and rightly so. Giving them confidence before the big kick-off.
But Newcastle players certainly had a problem with plastic over the years, and no Newcastle United team has EVER won on it!
Queens Park Rangers, Preston North End, Luton Town and Oldham Athletic all had them. And how ironic how Terry Venables is assistant coach for England on Wednesday, when HE was the man who got QPR to install one!
It helped QPR and Luton stay in the top flight, because (regardless what Venables said at the time) it IS an advantage.
The closest Newcastle came to winning on plastic was on New Years Day back in 1989 when Mark Stimpson scored in his own goal in injury time when we were leading 1-0.